Funding sought to turn model sculpture into full 12.3m tall version honoring northeast England mining heritage, created by artist John O'Rourke with Northumbria University students.
Funding is being sought to turn the model sculpture into a full version standing more than 12 metres high A sculpture honouring a region's mining heritage is to be unveiled to the public at an event which celebrates its history.
It features the figure of a miner symbolising those who worked in the industry across the north-east of England, surrounded by pit buildings and will be on display at the Northumberland Miner's Picnic at Woodhorn Museum in Ashington on Saturday. It has been created by artist John O'Rourke who has worked with students from Northumbria University on a "maquette" or model of the sculpture.
The proposed full version would be made from Corten steel, the same material as the Angel of the North, and would stand at 12.3 metres tall. Student Ali Alamin translated O'Rourke's technical drawings into components, before laser cutting and hand-finishing them for assembly.
"Being involved in a project of this scale, one that speaks to the history and culture of the region, gives you an enormous sense of pride," the 22-year-old said. Artist John O'Rourke worked to create a model of the sculpture with students from Northumbria University Fellow graduate, Christos Katsidis, who now works for Morfabrication in Washington, said the project had helped him "massively" in his current job as a design engineer.
"It allowed me to build real experience with the main software used at my current workplace, and that familiarity came in very handy during my interview. "Ali Alamin translated O'Rourke's technical drawings into components, before laser cutting and hand-finishing them for assembly O'Rourke said the sculpture is about the people of the region "their labour, their transition into a new future".
The Northumberland Miners Picnic was first held in 1864 at Blyth Links but following the closure of the region's coal mines was relocated in 1992 to Ashington where it evolved from a trade union rally into a celebration of North East mining heritage. Follow BBC North East on
Please follow us on Google to support us Mining Heritage Sculpture Northumberland John O'rourke Maquette
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Teenage police officer dies after horror crash on A-roadPC Jess Turnbull, 19, was seriously injured while attending a crash on the A189 in Cramlington, Northumberland, on Monday night
Read more »
Tragedy as teenage police officer dies after horror A-road crashNorthumbria Police officer PC Jess Turnbull tragically died after allegedly being struck by a car while responding to a collision on the A189 in Cramlington, Northumberland
Read more »
The Best Elevated Picnic Essentials So You Can Heatwave Dine In StylePaper cups and plastic straws, no more!
Read more »
M&S' £14 'unbreakable' picnic glasses perfect for your World Cup watch partyThe sturdy Contrast Rim Acrylic Picnic Tumblers are made from a hard-wearing acrylic that won't break, smash or chip — ideal for summer parties, barbecues and picnics
Read more »